TRR 181 seminar: Brian Arbic - "Global Modeling of the Oceanic Internal Gravity Wave Spectrum"

The TRR 181 seminar is held by Brian Arbic (University of Michigan) on

Global Modeling of the Oceanic Internal Gravity Wave Spectrum

at Universität Hamburg on April 5th at 12:15h, Haus des Sports, Schäferkampsallee 1,  Alexander-Otto-Saal (first floor). 

*Abstract*
In this talk I will discuss modeling of the internal gravity wave spectrum in two state-of-the-art global ocean models. There are many motivations for studying internal gravity waves. Internal wave breaking underlies most of the mixing in the interior of the ocean, and internal-wave driven mixing has significant impacts on ocean biology, ocean circulation, and oceanic temperatures and salinities. Internal waves also have a significant signal in datasets constructed from satellite remote sensing of the ocean. Finally, internal waves have a large impact on acoustics and other operational oceanography considerations. It has been recognized just in the last few years that global models that are forced by both atmospheric fields and the astronomical tidal potential are able to resolve some of the internal gravity wave continuum spectrum--the so-called Garrett-Munk spectrum. In this talk I will discuss the technical aspects of such global models, comparisons of such models with observations, and open questions about such models, in particular, their potential use in understanding the development of the Garrett-Munk spectrum.